Quick hits
Looking ahead
For most of the Inland Empire League football teams, Friday is the last chance to make sure that things are in working order.
The non-league and 5A/4A crossover games conclude and teams begin the run for state playoff berths next week.
Two of the final tune-ups feature Lake City (4-1) at Sandpoint (2-3), and Coeur d’Alene (4-1) at Lakeland (2-3).
Kickoff at those games and most in the area is at 7 p.m.
•In Intermountain League games, Bonners Ferry (3-3, 1-0) goes to Priest River (1-4, 0-1), and St. Maries (0-6, 0-1) travels to Kellogg (3-2, 0-0). Timberlake (2-4, 1-0) has a bye.
•In NSL games, Clark Fork (3-2, 2-0) visits Kootenai (0-5, 0-2), and Post Falls Christian (3-1, 2-0) travels to Wallace (3-2, 1-1).
•In a non-league game, Capital (2-3) of Boise is at Lewiston (4-1).
•In games tonight, Moscow (4-1) travels to Boise (2-3), and Mullan (3-2, 1-1) visits Lakeside (1-4, 0-2) in a North Star League game.
•Lake City coach Van Troxel has made some personnel adjustments on defense as part of his fine tuning. He’s moving Brandon Hanna from linebacker to defensive end and putting Chris Bobbitt in Hanna’s spot.
The Timberwolves played without starters Dave Bobbitt (linebacker) and Brandon Lopez (defensive tackle) last week. They return Friday.
Troxel said his team isn’t looking past Sandpoint just because of its record.
“We’re not taking them lightly one bit,” Troxel said. “Their kids are going to play hard against us and we’re going to play hard against them because it’s a great rivalry.”
Sandpoint coach Sean Dorris said his team could easily be 5-0 instead of 2-3.
The Bulldogs’ losses have been by a touchdown, a field goal in overtime and one point.
“For that reason our spirits are pretty high,” Dorris said. “The kids realize the situation. We’re three plays away from being 5-0 and two extra points away from being at least 4-1.”
It’s Sandpoint’s first game at home after games at Skyview of Nampa, Bonners Ferry and Lewiston.
Sandpoint has moved the ball well between the 20-yard lines.
The closer the Bulldogs get to the end zone, though, the more frequently problems crop up.
“We’ve got to clean up the little things that’s prevented us from getting the ball in the end zone as much as we should,” Dorris said. “What we keep saying is ‘Remember the good and learn from the bad.’ ”
Looking around
Soccer showdown
The girls had their turn under the lights, so it’s the boys’ chance tonight when Lake City (6-4-2 overall, 4-3-1 league) plays host to Coeur d’Alene (7-2-4, 6-1-2) at 6:30. CdA shut out LC 2-0 in the first league game last month.
The match is critical for seeding to the Region I tournament. The top seed gets a first-match bye while the No. 3 seed travels to No. 2 in a loser-out match. Lewiston and LC are tied.
•The girls square off a little earlier across town at 4. League-leading CdA (12-2-0, 8-1-2) handled LC (7-5-2, 3-4-1) 5-2 last month.
Volleyball
The busy day involving the intracity rivals continues tonight when Lake City (15-6, 7-2) visits Coeur d’Alene (9-10, 5-4) at 7.
The Timberwolves, who beat CdA in the first league match, can secure the top seed to the Region I tournament. The Vikings need a win to keep their outside hopes for the top seed alive.
This ‘n’ that
Boys and girls soccer teams and volleyball teams conclude the regular season next week, and the bulk of the state-qualifying tournaments begin early the following week. League titles and postseason seeding will be up for grabs in the final matches.
•In Inland Empire League boys soccer, league-leading Sandpoint (11-1-2, 8-0-2) travels to Coeur d’Alene on Tuesday in what should decide the title.
•In IEL girls soccer, the championship will most likely be determined Tuesday when CdA visits Sandpoint (8-4-4, 7-1-2).
•In IEL volleyball, Moscow is humming along nicely at 20-0 and 9-0. The Bears can clinch no worse than a tie for the title tonight at Sandpoint or with a win Tuesday when LC visits.
•In North Star League volleyball, Kootenai (10-0) can capture its second straight title when Wallace (7-1) visits Oct. 13.